Christina Keschick, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, didn't expect that being a victim of domestic violence would lead to her eight children being taken away from her.

Keschick was regularly beaten by the father of her children. Juan Garcia Romero, a non-Indian and reputed gang member, was eventually banished by the tribe and convicted of domestic violence.

As she sought help, Keschick's oldest son was placed in state care. Then the tribe removed the remaining children from the home after Keschick spent a night in jail on a traffic offense.

The tribe placed the children, who are all tribal members, in non-Indian homes. Keschick is paying monthly child support but the father doesn't contribute, she said.

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Mother striving to get custody (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 5/27)